Ridgefield Park continues recovery from storm

RIDGEFIELD PARK - In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Election Day took place as normally as possible in the Village Nov. 6, with the usual polling places open to voters.

Although no polling locations were relocated, the Roosevelt School site was operated by standby power as voters streamed in to cast their votes for national, state and county candidates.

"Despite the hardship, it is still critical for residents to cast their vote, as is our right and freedom to do," Village Commissioner Maggie Boyd said. "I encourage everyone to come out to vote."

Boyd cast her vote at 7 a.m. at the civic center.

"It has been a challenge because some of our polling places are without heat and light, and we have had a few glitches, but we are managing," Boyd said.

Boyd said that there were some Ridgefield park residents who voted by way of mail in ballot.

"The county clerk emailed us the tally, but our email system was down in the Village until [Nov. 6]. Our clerk had to run from polling place to polling place election morning manually marking down who had already voted by mail; it was chaotic for a while there," Boyd remarked.

Very slowly, life began to stabilize in Ridgefield Park, with substantial portions of the Village restored to full power as of Nov. 6.

According to Mayor George Fosdick, those remaining without power nine days after Sandy made landfall are "rightfully frustrated."

"It is simply infuriating not to be able to get any answers," Fosdick remarked.

The south side of Ridgefield Park nearest the creek sustained the most damage, Fosdick said, and FEMA has been in the area assisting residents in the recovery process.

The bright lining of this storm, the mayor said, has been the outpouring of neighbor helping neighbor.

"It is heartwarming to see the goodness of people in this time of adversity; it is reaffirming to see how good people can be," Fosdick reflected.

Fosdick said a collection drive by Village residents yielded enough supplies to assist Ridgefield Park residents as well as neighbors in Little Ferry and Moonachie.

"These volunteers, through sheer kindness and compassion, collected tons of stuff. It really made a difference," Fosdick praised.

A semblance of normalcy also returned to Village schools which reopened Nov. 7 with half-day sessions Nov. 7 to 9. The NJEA Teacher's Convention, previously scheduled for Nov. 8 and 9 in Atlantic City, was cancelled allowing schools to be in session on those dates.

Reflecting on all the damage in and around Ridgefield Park, Fosdick said, "It is not easy, but we will endure."